Between Heaven and Here

Between Heaven and Here follows the residents of Rio Seco, a California town where the death of a young sex worker named Glorette Picard sends ripples through the tight-knit community. The investigation into her murder brings long-buried tensions and connections to the surface. The narrative moves back and forth in time, revealing the interconnected lives of three generations of families who came to California from Louisiana. Their stories trace paths through poverty, violence, and determination as they build lives in their adopted home. Sidney Chabert, Glorette's cousin, finds himself caught between family loyalty and his role as a teacher trying to help his students escape the cycles that trapped previous generations. Other characters' perspectives create a mosaic of community life, from street corners to schoolyards to family kitchens. The novel examines how place shapes identity and how the weight of history bears on the present, while exploring themes of survival, redemption, and the complex bonds that hold communities together despite profound challenges.

Readers note the raw authenticity in Straight's portrayal of Rio Seco, California and its impoverished characters. Many praise the author's intimate knowledge of the community and her ability to capture complex family dynamics. Readers appreciate: - Vivid descriptions of place and atmosphere - Multi-layered character development - Realistic dialogue and interactions - Cultural insights into Creole communities Common criticisms: - Multiple narrators make the story hard to follow - Some plotlines feel unresolved - Dark themes and violence are difficult for some readers - Dense prose requires slow, careful reading Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (234 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) Sample reader comment: "The writing is beautiful but demands attention - this isn't a casual beach read. Straight drops you into a fully realized world that feels completely authentic." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers noted needing to re-read sections to track the shifting perspectives and family connections.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston A tale of a Black woman's search for identity in the American South moves through multiple relationships and communities while examining race, power, and self-determination.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward The story follows a family in Mississippi as they prepare for an approaching hurricane, weaving together themes of poverty, motherhood, and survival in the rural South.

The Known World by Edward P. Jones This narrative explores the complex relationships in a Virginia county where Black slave owners exist alongside white plantation owners, creating a layered examination of power and morality.

Cane by Jean Toomer Through interconnected stories and poems, this work captures the lives of Black Americans in both rural Georgia and the urban North during the early 20th century.

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke A murder mystery set on a Louisiana plantation-turned-tourist-site connects present-day racial dynamics with historical injustices through the lens of the property's Black manager.

🌟 Susan Straight wrote this novel, part of her Rio Seco trilogy, drawing from her deep connections to Southern California's Inland Empire region where she has lived her entire life. 📚 The book explores the lives of a multi-generational Creole family who migrated from Louisiana to California, reflecting real historical patterns of African-American migration westward. 🏆 The author conducted extensive interviews with local residents, including police officers and former gang members, to create authentic representations of the community she portrays. 🌆 Rio Seco, the fictional setting of the novel, is based on Riverside, California, where Straight taught creative writing at the University of California, Riverside for over 30 years. 🎭 The narrative structure weaves together multiple perspectives and timelines, starting with a death that ripples through the community and moving backward to reveal the complex circumstances leading to that moment.